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Publication Date

2022-05-08

First Advisor

Laura A. Katz

Document Type

Honors Project

Department

Biological Sciences

Keywords

Foraminifera, life cycles, flurescence microscopy, nuclear architecture, genome evolution, microeukaryote, protist

Abstract

Foraminifera (forams) are a clade of shelled amoebae with complex life cycles yet largely understudied genome dynamics. They are key players in nutrient cycling and have high levels of genetic diversity. More recently, forams are being studied for their complex life cycles and genome dynamics. I refined protocols to culture a single-chambered foram, Allogromia laticollaris CSH. Using both cultures in flasks and isolated single cells, as well as working collaboratively with a group of students that I mentored, I documented the life cycle of the Allogromia using brightfield microscopy and found support for synchrony in life cycle stages. Simultaneously, I developed methods to stain the DNA and RNA of these cells, along with piloting fluorescence in situ hybridization methods. Viewing the stained nuclei under a laser scanning confocal microscope, I captured high resolution images of A. laticorallis’s nuclear architecture and found a common pattern of nuclei with an outer ring of heterochromatin and a DNA-poor center, often with condensed chromosomes. Combining these observations with the few past papers on this taxon, I conclude that Allogromia laticollaris CSH display an alternation of generations with variation in nuclear number, ploidy level, and nuclear architecture within and between these generations. These nuclear and underlying genome dynamics have implications for understanding eukaryotic genome dynamics more broadly.

Rights

©2022 Hannah A. Rappaport. Access limited to the Smith College community and other researchers while on campus. Smith College community members also may access from off-campus using a Smith College log-in. Other off-campus researchers may request a copy through Interlibrary Loan for personal use.

Language

English

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